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| A composite image shows former President Joe Biden and Antonie "Tony" Delynn Latimore following Latimore's arrest in a Polk County Sheriff's Office undercover drug trafficking investigation. Authorities said Latimore's previous federal prison sentence had been commuted through a presidential grant of clemency before his latest arrest on fentanyl and other drug trafficking charges. Source: Polk County Sheriff's Office / White House. |
Winter Haven Man Whose Federal Prison Sentence Was Commuted Arrested in Undercover Fentanyl Trafficking Investigation, PCSO Says
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — A Winter Haven man whose federal prison sentence was commuted through an executive grant of clemency signed by former President Joe Biden has been arrested again, this time following an undercover drug trafficking investigation led by the Polk County Sheriff's Office High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force.
According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, detectives received information in June 2026 that 42-year-old Antonie "Tony" Delynn Latimore was allegedly selling illegal narcotics throughout Polk County. Detectives launched an undercover investigation that ultimately resulted in multiple controlled drug transactions and Latimore's arrest.
Investigators said they learned Latimore had previously been arrested in 2019 during a joint undercover operation involving the Lakeland FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Florida Highway Patrol after selling crack cocaine to a confidential source.
On March 6, 2020, Latimore pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine and was sentenced to 10 years and 10 months in federal prison.
However, officials said his sentence was commuted to July 16, 2026, under an executive grant of clemency signed by then-President Joe Biden, which took effect on January 17, 2025.
Clemency is an act of mercy by the president that can reduce or end a person's prison sentence without overturning the criminal conviction.
Undercover Drug Purchases
During the investigation, undercover HIDTA detectives arranged two separate purchases in June 2026 involving 100 fentanyl pills and 100 MDMA (Ecstasy) pills, according to investigators.
Authorities said Latimore later told undercover detectives in July that he was looking to purchase a large quantity of cocaine so he could resell it for profit.
Detectives then arranged a transaction involving three kilograms of cocaine on July 29, 2026.
According to investigators, Latimore offered his customized 1983 Buick, which he valued at more than $80,000 due to extensive modifications including custom rims, an upgraded audio system, and other enhancements, as collateral for the drug purchase.
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| 42-year-old Antonie "Tony" Delynn Latimore / PCSO |
Arrest and Charges
On July 31, 2026, detectives arrested Latimore in Winter Haven.
He is charged with:
- Trafficking in fentanyl over 14 grams (First-Degree Felony)
- Trafficking in MDMA over 10 grams (Second-Degree Felony)
- Maintaining a vehicle to traffic drugs (Second-Degree Felony)
- Possession of drug paraphernalia (Misdemeanor)
As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and Latimore is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Sheriff Grady Judd Responds
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd criticized Latimore's release from federal prison during a statement announcing the arrest.
"Tony Latimore told our detectives that he does not sell 'a lot of drugs' but sells them 'from time to time to make money.' Well isn't that something — an honest drug dealer. This guy should have still been in federal prison, but thanks to President Biden, he's back out on the street peddling dangerous drugs like fentanyl. This is why soft on crime policies don't work — they endanger lives."
The investigation remains ongoing.
Source: Polk County Sheriff's Office sent directly to iSkyNews.com
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